Control mechanism for circular knitting machine with rotating needle carrier

ABSTRACT

A pattern control mechanism for a circular knitting machine with a rotating needle carrying cylinder, in which the needles are controlled at a pattern position by means of a plurality of electromagnetically controlled pattern devices, each needle being provided with an associated needle jack having control feet which follow each other in sequence in a stepwise manner, the needle jacks being slidable in the needle cylinder and being selectively swingable; at the pattern selection point all of the needle jacks with their control feet are carried past a ramp-like cam which swings the needle jacks into a first position, in which they cooperate with their jack-advancing cam. A plurality of radially inwardly yieldably biased slide members are provided for swinging the respective jacks into a second position wherein they do not cooperate with such cam. Every slide means is provided with a magnetic holding mechanism which retains the respective slide means in an outer, retracted position, the returning force which opposes the magnets being less than the holding strength of the magnets. The respective slide members are retracted by magnet slide retracting feet mounted on the cylinder so as to retract the magnet armature into proximity with the pole piece of the magnet. If the magnet is then energized by a pattern control mechanism, the slide members remains retracted and thus the respective needle jack remains swung outwardly in operative position. If the magnet is not energized, the needle jack is swung inwardly into inoperative position by the slide members.

United States Patent [1 1 Hamma [111 3,815,383 June 11, 1974 l l CONTROLMECHANISM FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE WITH ROTATING NEEDLE CARRIER[75] Inventor: Gerhard Hamma, Spaichingen Wurttemberg, Germany [73]Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Spaichingen GmbH, Spaichingen/Wurttemberg,Germany [22] Filed: Apr. 7, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 242,179

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 10, 1971 Germany 2117713[52] U.S. Cl. 66/50 R, 66/115 [51] Int. Cl. .[D04b 15/78, D04b 15/14[58] Field of Search 66/50 R, 50 B, 25, 115

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1936 Lawson 66/115 l/l966Farmer 66/50 R Primary ExaminerWm. Carter Reynolds- Almrney, Agent, orFirm-Arthur O. Klein 5 7 ABSTRACT A pattern control mechanism for acircular knitting machine with a rotating needle carrying cylinder, inwhich the needles are controlled at a pattern position by means of aplurality of electromagnetically controlled pattern devices, each needlebeing provided with an associated needle jack having control feet whichfollow each other in sequence in a stepwise manner, the needle jacksbeing slidable in the needle cylinderand being selectively swingable; atthe pattern selection point all of the needle jacks with their controlfeet are carried past a ramp-like cam which swings the needle jacks intoa first position, in which they cooperate with their jack-advancing cam.A plurality of radially inwardly yieldably biased slide members areprovided for swinging the respective jacks into a second positionwherein they do not cooperate with such cam. Every slide means isprovided with a magnetic holding mechanism which retains the respectiveslide means in an outer, retracted position, the returning force whichopposes the magnets being less than the holding strength of the magnets.The respective slide members are retracted by magnet slide retractingfeet mounted on the cylinder so as to retract the magnet armature intoproximity with the pole piece of the magnet. It? the magnet is thenenergized by a pattern control mechanism, the slide members remainsretracted and thus the respective needle jack remains swung outwardly inoperative position. If the magnet is not energized, the needle jack isswung inwardly into inoperative position by the slide members.

' 8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN 11 1914 3.815383 SHEEI. 1 OF 4PATENTEBJUNI 1 m4 SHEET 2 BF 4 Fig. 2

lllul' IIIIIIIIIII I '1] PATENTEUJUH 1 1 law:

SHEET 30F 4 CONTROL MECHANISM FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE WITHROTATING NEEDLE CARRIER SPECIFICATION This invention is an improvementupon that disclosed and claimed in applicants prior US. application Ser.No. 77,226 filed Oct. 1, 1970.

This invention relates to a pattern arrangement for circular knittingmachines with rotating needle carrier cylinders, in which the selectionof needles is made at a selection point by means of several selectingdevices that are actuated electromagnetically in accordance with apredetermined desired pattern. Needle jacks are disposed inlongitudinally extending channels in the needle cylinder, such needlesbeing adjustable longitudinally of the cylinder and pivotable to alimited degree so as selectivelyto actuate the needles, each needle jackbeing associated with its respective needle. The needle jacks areprovided with patternfeet, the pattern feet being arranged on the needlecylinder en echelon. In accordance with the invention, at the selectionpoint there are provided a plurality of holding magnets, one for eachneedle jack, the magnets being selectively energized in accordance withthe pattern. Each magnet has associated therewith a radially reciprocalslide which is constantly urged radially inwardly by a spring and which'is held outwardly, in opposition to the spring, by the magnet when themagnet is energized. As the needle cylinder rotates, the lower ends ofthe needle jacks encounter a fixed ramp-like cam disposed in advance ofthe slides, such fixed cam thrusting all of the needle jacks radiallyoutwardly. Continued rotation of the needle cylinder brings theoutwardly swung needle jacks to the location of the slides; the slides,if in their radially inward position, thrust the needle jacks radiallyinwardly so that they will not cooperate with further fixed cam memberswhich thrust them and their respective needles upwardly on the needlecylinder so as to knit a stitch.

The present invention has among its objects the insuring of an accurateand safe shifting of the magnet slide into its outer, retractedposition, the magnet slide then being held in such position byenergization of the magnet. Such arrangement avoids the overenergizationof the holding magnets with consequent heating, and eliminates the veryexact manufacturing of the individual components which is necessary whenthe magnets are called upon both to move the slide means from theirradially inner to their radially outer positions and to hold them insuch latter positions.

The objects of the present invention are attained, with accuracy andwithout requiring unduly close manufacturing tolerances of the parts, byproviding the needle cylinder with slide retracting feet, such slideretracting feet themselves being disposed en echelon in a row parallelto the row of pattern feet on the needle jacks, respective slideretracting feet being disposed in advance of and at the same levelaxially of the needle cylinder as a respective pattern foot on a needlejack. The slide retracting feet positively thrust the respective slideinto their radially outward positions wherein the armatures of themagnet slide are close to the pole pieces and thus maybe retained if therespective magnet is energized. If this magnet is not energized, theslide returns to its radially inner position, where it engages thepattern foot of the respective needle jack and thrusts such needle jackradially inwardly of its channel in the needle cylinder.

In the illustrative embodiment of the apparatus of the invention shownherein the needle cylinder is provided with longitudinally extendingspaced parallel strips or guides set into channels in the needlecylinder proper, the needle jacks and needles being disposed betweensuccessive guide strips. Each guide strip has a slide retracting footthereon, the retracting feet being disposed en echelon, parallel to thepattern feet on the needle jacks, and in advance of the pattern feet adistance which is sufficient to permit the slide tocooperate with therespective pattern feet on the needle jacks if the respectiveelectromagnets are not energized. The radial height of the slideretracting feet is at least as great as the radial height of the patternfeet on the needle jacks when the needle jacks are pivoted radiallyoutwardly by the fixed cams past which the needle cylinder rotates.Preferably the slide retracting feet extend radially outwardly a slightdistance beyond the pattern feet on the needle jacks when the needlejacks are pivoted into their radially outer position.

The circumferential spacing between the slide retracting feet and thepattern feet on the needle jacks in the same plane transversely of theneedle cylinder amounts to at least one needle division. Preferably,however, such spacing amounts to at least close to the length of theactive portion of a ramp-like cam on the inner end of the slides. As wehave seen above, the active portion of the slides is disposed somewhatdownstream of the fixed cam which tilts the needle jacks radiallyoutwardly.

Further characteristics and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent in the following description taken in connection withthe drawings, the drawings showing more or less schematically apreferred embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in vertical radial section through the camsleeve or mantle and the needle cylinder of a circular knitting machineincorporating the disclosed embodiment of the pattern control mechanismof the invention; I FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of a developmentof a portion of the exterior of the needle cylinder provided withaxially extending circumferentially spaced strip-like guide membersprovided with slide retracting feet, the needle jacks and needles beingomitted for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 3 is a view in radial axial section through the needle cylinder,the section being taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a development of the needlecylinder, a cylinder carrying the guiding members shown in FIG. 3 andhaving needle jacks provided with'pattern feet disposed betweensuccessive guide members, the view also showing the upper and lower camswhich cooperate with the needle jacks to control their movementlongitudinally of the needle cylinder, and the fixed cam shown at thebottom of the figure for tilting the needle jacks radially inwardly intotheir channels;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in transverse section through theapparatus, the section being taken along line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view in transverse section on an enlarged scale of aportionof the apparatus shown in FIG. 5, the radially reciprocable slidemembers there shown being in its radially outer, inoperative position;and

FIG. 7' is a view similar to FIG. 6 of the apparatus with the parts inthe position which they assume a short time after the needle cylinderhas left the position thereof shown in FIG. 6, the slide members beingshown in its radially inner, operative position.

Turning now to FIG. I, there is shown a portion of a rotating needlecylinder 1, a fixed cylinder locking ring 2, and an outer, lowersupporting ring 3 to which there is affixed a support 4. A patternarrangement is mounted upon the support 4 by a means (not shown) whichpermits the adjustment of the position of the pattern arrangement 5. Thepattern arrangement 5 has a plurality (18 in this embodiment) of holdingmagnets 16 that are arranged in three vertical rows of 6 magnets eachspaced circumferentially of the needle cylinder (FIG. 5) each magnet 6cooperating with its individual slide members 7. The slide members 7 arearranged in a stack of 18 disposed radially of the needle cylinder, asshown. The magnets 6 may be individually energized according to theknitting pattern, so as to hold the respective slide members 7 in itsradially outer position (FIG. 6) against the opposition of a coilcompression spring 16. The arrangement and construction of the holdingmagnets 6 and of their reciprocable slide members 7 will be, explainedin detail in connection with FIG. 5.

The needle cylinder 1 is provided with a plurality of uniformly spacedaxially extending vertical needle channels 12 formed between successivestrip-like guiding members which are mounted in channels in the needlecylinder proper. In the known manner, each of the needle channels 12contains a knitting needle 8 at the top of the channel and a verticallyreciprocable and tiltable needle jack 9 disposed below and acting uponthe respective needle 8. The guide members 10 are retained in recessesin the needle cylinder 1 by means of a hook-like members 101 having areentrant-angled lower surface fitting within a somewhat larger butsimilarly shaped socket in the root of the channel in the needlecylinder proper receiving the guide member 10. A hook-like member 101retains the member 10 fixed with respect to the needle cylinder. Ontheir radially outer vertical edges each of the guide members 10 has aslide retracting foot 11, each set of 18 consecutive guide members 10having their feet 11 disposed en echelon, as shown in FIG. 2.

A needle jack 9 is disposed in each of the vertical channels formedbetween successive guide members 10 as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, inclusive.As shown in FIG. 4, each of the needle jacks 9 has a pattern foot 91,the

pattern feet being disposed en echelon parallel to the row of slideretracting feet 11 when the needle jacks are in their lower, retractedposition, a pattern foot 91 on a needle jack 9 then lying in the sametransverse plane as a slide retracting foot 11, such pattern foot 9 andslide retracting foot 11 being separated from each other by one guidingmember 10 and one needle jack 9. See FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein a patternfoot 91' of a needle jack 9 and a slide retracting foot 11' of a guidingmember 10 are disposed in the same transverse plane as the slide 7 thereshown. It will be seen that the feet 9' and 11' are separated by oneguiding member I0 and one needle jack 9.

As shown in FIG. 4, the needle jacks 9 are periodically raised duringthe rotation of the needle cylinder by the interaction of lower controlfeet 93 at the lower end of each of the needle jacks and stationarylower cams l5, 14; the needle jacks 9 and .thus the needles connectedthereto are lowered or retracted by the interaction of upper controlfeet 92 onthe needle jacks with stationary similar upper cams 13disposed around the needle cylinder. The cams 13 have lower peak"portions or zones 13a which complete the retraction of the needle jacks,zones 130 being followed by horizontal zones 13b beneath which the'feet92 pass as the needle jacks travel through the selection station.

In FIG. 5 there are shown two consecutive similar pattern arrangements 5and 5 which are arranged around the circumference of the needlecylinder. It will be understood that these are only two of the manypattern arrangements employed with the knitting machine. Since the twopattern arrangement shown are identical, it will suffice to describearrangement 5. Each of the holding magnets 6 of arrangement 5 have aU-shaped core made of magnetic metal, the bight of the core beingdisposed radially outwardly of the needle cylinder. Each of the two legsof the core is provided with a field winding 62. The radially inner endsof the core form pole pieces 63' which interact with the outer ends ofthe respective slide members 7. The outer ends of the slide members 7 inthe central row interact directly with their respective pole pieces. Theouter ends of the other two rows of slide members 7 are provided withwings 75 some of which extend circumferentially in one direction andsome in the other, the outer ends of wing 75 being provided witharmature surfaces 71 as are the outer ends of the central row of slidemembers.

Each of the slide members 7 is provided with a radially extendingguiding pin 18 affixed to a lateral projection 72 at the radially innerend of .the slide member, there being a coil compression spring 16 withits radially inner end telescoped over the pin 18, the outer end of thespring being received in a spring seat in a fixed part 81 of the frameof the pattern arrangement 5. The spring 16 constantly urges the slidemember 7 in a radially inner direction and retains it there unless theslide member is thrust radially outwardly and is retained in suchradially outward position by energization of its respective magnet 6.

As indicated by arrows, the needle cylinder rotates in I the directionfrom left to right in FIGS. 4 and 5 and in the direction from the bottomto the top in FIGS. 6 and 7. Each of the slide members 7 which has avertical thickness somewhat less than the axial length of the feet 9and- 11 and is axially centered with respect thereto has a foot-enteringramp-like surface 73 which is inclined radiallyinwardly in the directionof rotation of the needle cylinder 1, and a straight or very slightlycurved circumferential surface 74 which extends parallel to the othersurfaces of the guide members [0, the needle jacks 9, and the feet onthe guide members and needle jacks with which the slide member coacts.For clarity, in FIGS. 6 and 7 the slide members is designated 7', theguide member and the needle jack with which such slide member coacts aredesignated 10' and 9, respectively, and the feet on such elements aredesignated 11 and 91, respectively. It will apparent that as the needlecylinder rotates in the indicated direction the foot 11 of guide member10 first travels past the inclined surface 73 of slide member 7'advances into engagement with a surface 74 of the slide member, and thatneedle jack 9 follows, the foot 91' thereon first travelling past theinclined surface 73 advancing into engagement with the substantiallystraight surface 74 of the slide member.

In front of each selecting point or zone of the circular knittingmachine which is formed by a pattern arrangement 5 there is a stationarycam 17 that cooperates with the lower'ends 94 of the needle jacks 9, cam17 shifting all of the needle jacks 9 radially to the outside of theneedle cylinder as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. As above explained, FIG. 7shows the same structure as FIG. 6, but with the parts in the positionswhich they occupy a brief time after they have occupied the position ofFIG. 6. In each Figure the seven lower-most needle jacks are numbered 1to 7, inclusive, from top to bottom. In FIG. 6 needle jacks 4 and 3 arebeing pushed radially outwardly of the needle cylinder by the inclinedramp-like portion of cam 17, needle jack 2 is riding along the straightinner portion of the cam 17, and needle jack 7 remains in the position,spaced from the surface 74 of the slide member 7, into which it will bethrust by cam 17. In FIG. 6 the slide member 7' is in its radially outerposition, having been thrust into such position by engagement of thesurface 74 of the slide member with the radially outer surface of thefoot 11 of the guiding member If the respective magnets 6 for slidemembers 7 should now be energized, it would hold a slide member 7 in theradially outer position of FIG. 6. The second of the seven lower needlejacks, designated 9 and bearing. the pattern foot 91' in the positionshown in FIG. 6 is held radially outwardly by the straight portion ofthe cam 17; only after the needle jack 9' has moved out from the zone ofinfluence from cam 17 does it enter the zone of possible influence bythe surface 74 of the slide member 7. In order to prevent any unwantedaction by the slide member 7 upon the foot 91' of the needle jack 9' asthe needle cylinder passes from the position of FIG. 6

into the position of FIG. 7 the outer surface of the needle cylinder isground so that the outer surfaces of the guiding members 10 are locateda small distance radially outwardly of the outer surfaces of the patternfeet 91 of the needle jacks 9 when the needle jacks are thrust intotheir radially outer position by the cams I7. With the magnet 6 for theslide member 7 energized the slide member remains retracted into itsradially outward position as shown in FIG. 6 and thus will not press theneedle jack 9' radially inwardly even after the needle cylinder 1 hasrotated sufficiently for the lower (FIG. 6) edge of the guide member 10to clear the upper edge of the surface 74 of the slide member 7'. Thusthe ejection foot 93 at the lower end of the needle jack 9 will be inposition to interact with the ejection cam (FIG. 1) to eject a knittingneedle 8 upwardly upon rotation of the needle cylinder sufficiently forthe foot 93 to engage cam 15. In FIG. 7 a needle cylinder 1 has rotatedthrough such angle that the pattern foot 91' of the needle jack 9' hastraveled a distance a. This has carried the slide member retracting foot11 of the guide member 10' past the end of the surface 74 of slidemember 7'. Thereupon, if the magnet 6 for the slide member 7 is notenergized the slide member 7' moves radially inwardly under theinfluence of spring 16 so that the surface 74 of the slide memberengages the pattern foot 91 or the needle jack 9' to push the needlejack 9 radially inwardly into the position thereof shown in FIG. 7. Insuch position of the slide member a surface 74 thereof engages andslides along the outer surfaces of a guide member 11 and the outersurface of the pattern foot 91. In such position of a needle jack 9',its lower foot 93 does not engage the cam 15 as it rotates there past,and so the needle 8 associated with needle jack 9 is then not ejected ina working stroke. In FIG. 6 it is to be noted that the distance a, abovediscussed, equals the distance b, which is the circumferential length ofthe surface 74 of the slide member 7. j 1

If, during the rotation of the needle cylinder 1 in the direction 19(FIG. 6 and 7) a holding magnet 6 is not energized when its slide member7 is offered to it while the slide member retracting foot 11 operatesthrough the surface 74, a slide member 7 is thrust radially inwardlyinto the position of FIG. 7 by the respective return spring 16 as soonas the foot 11' moves off the portion 74 of the slide member. In theradially inward movement of the slide member 7 the zone 74 thereof meetsthe swung-out pattern foot 91 of the needle jack 9 which, by means ofthe cam 17, has been brought to its maximum radially outward position,as can be seen in FIG. 6 and presses this pattern foot 91 with itsneedle jack 9' back into the guiding channel 12 again this action can beseen in FIG. 7. As result, the ejection foot 93 of the needle jack 9leaves the zone of influence of the ejection locking cam parts 14 and15. The pattern jack and thus also the needle 8 associated therewith arenot ejected, but remain in circulating position.

The shifting of the slide member 7 in 'the direction of their respectiveholding magnets 6 is thus caused exclusively by the slide retractingfeet 11 of the rigid guide members 10 of the needle cylinder. Thepattern feet of the pattern jacks are, in contrast to those ofapplicants prior patent application Ser. No. 77,226, completely relievedfrom such function. By means of surface grinding of the needle cylinderI which is provided with the guiding members 10, very small radialtolerances of the slide member retracting feet 11 can be obtained, andthus also a very accurate shifting of the slide member 7 in thedirection toward the respective holding magnets 6. In this manner it isalso insured that the slide member 7 are always thrust radiallyoutwardly so that their outer, armature ends lie close to the polepieces of the magnets and thus can be attracted and held with a ratherlow degree of energization of the field coils 62 of the magnets. Suchholding of the slide member 7 continues until the energization of themagnet coils is interrupted and the slide member 7 is thrust radiallyinwardly into the position of FIG. 7 by the spring 16. Surface grindingof the needle cylinder 1 with the guide members 10 in place also insuresthat, when the needle jacks 9 and their pattern feet are accurately madethere will exist the desired small difference d (FIG. 6) between theradial height of the outer surface of the pattern foot 91 of the needlejack 9' when the needle jack is thrust fully outwardly by the cam 17 andthe outer surfaces of the feet 11 on the members 10.

Although the invention is illustrated and described with reference toone preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be expressly understood thatit is in no way limited to the disclosure of such a preferredembodiment, but is capable of numerous modifications within the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A pattern control mechanism for a circular knitting machine with arotating needle cylinder, in which the needle selection is controlled ata pattern selecting position by means of a plurality of selectivelyenergized electromagnetic selecting devices, each needle being providedwith an associated needle jack which is slidable in the needle cylinderand is selectively swingable into and out of operative engagement with astationary cylinder, a needle and a needle jack being disposed inalignment in each of said channels, each of the channels being boundedby two longitudinally extending elongated guide members. said secondfeet for retracting the slide members being disposed on said guidemembers and projecting radially therefrom.

2. A control mechanism according to claim I,

' wherein the corresponding first pattern feet and the cam past whichthe jacks travel on the needle cylinder,

each needle jack having at least one pattern foot, the pattern feet ofthe needle jacks following each other in sequence in a stepwise manner,a first ramp-like cam portion in advance of the pattern selectingposition for successively swinging the needle jacks so that they lie ina first swung position, a plurality of slide members at the patternselecting position, each of the slide member s being selectively movablefrom a first, retracted position in which it does not substantiallyengage the pattern feet of the jacks when the jacks are in their firstposition, into a second, advanced position in which it "engages thepattern foot of the respective jack when the latter is in its firstposition and thrusts such jack into a second swung position, the jacksin one of said swung positions thereof being disposed in the path of thestationary cam and in the other of said swung positions being disposedout of the path of the stationary cam, yieldable means for constantlyurging all of the slide members toward their second, advanced position,means in advance of the pattern feet on the jacks for retracting therespective slide members into their first positions, saidelectromagnetic selecting devices including selectively energizableelectromagnetic means at the pattern selecting position for retainingthe slide members in their retracted position when the respectiveelectromagnetic means are energized, said yieldable means then beingoverpowered by the energized electromagnetic means, the means forretracting the respective slide members comprises a plurality of secondfeet on the needle cylinder for retracting the slide members, saidsecond feet being disposed stepwise in a manner similar to the firstpattern feet on the needle jacks and in advance thereof, the needlecylinder is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extendingchannels parallel to the axis of rotation of the needle second feet onthe needle cylinder being spaced apart circumferentially of the needlecylinder by at least one needle and jack receiving channel.

3. A control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the outer radialextent of said needle jacks when in said first swung position isslightly less than the outer radial extent of said guide members.

4. A control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said second feet onthe elongated guide members and said pattern feet on said jacks aredisposed in the same plane and contiguous to each other are spaced atleast one needle width from each other.

5. A control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the slide membersare disposed in a stack disposed in a radial axial plane of the needlecarrier.

6. A control mechanism according to claim 5, wherein each of said slidemembers has a ramp-like surface disposed on the radially inner endthereof, said electromagnetic means being disposed to cooperate with theradially outer ends of the slide members,

7. A control mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the radiallyoutermost portion of the first ramp-like cam portion terminates in acircumferential direction in advance of the radially innermost portionof each of the ramp-like surfaces of the slide members.

channel and a guide member contiguous thereto.

1. A pattern control mechanism for a circular knitting machine with arotating needle cylinder, in which the needle selection is controlled ata pattern selecting position by means of a plurality of selectivelyenergized electromagnetic selecting devices, each needle being providedwith an associated needle jack which is slidable in the needle cylinderand is selectively swingable into and out of operative engagement with astationary cam past which the jacks travel on the needle cylinder, eachneedle jAck having at least one pattern foot, the pattern feet of theneedle jacks following each other in sequence in a stepwise manner, afirst ramp-like cam portion in advance of the pattern selecting positionfor successively swinging the needle jacks so that they lie in a firstswung position, a plurality of slide members at the pattern selectingposition, each of the slide members being selectively movable from afirst, retracted position in which it does not substantially engage thepattern feet of the jacks when the jacks are in their first position,into a second, advanced position in which it engages the pattern foot ofthe respective jack when the latter is in its first position and thrustssuch jack into a second swung position, the jacks in one of said swungpositions thereof being disposed in the path of the stationary cam andin the other of said swung positions being disposed out of the path ofthe stationary cam, yieldable means for constantly urging all of theslide members toward their second, advanced position, means in advanceof the pattern feet on the jacks for retracting the respective slidemembers into their first positions, said electromagnetic selectingdevices including selectively energizable electromagnetic means at thepattern selecting position for retaining the slide members in theirretracted position when the respective electromagnetic means areenergized, said yieldable means then being overpowered by the energizedelectromagnetic means, the means for retracting the respective slidemembers comprises a plurality of second feet on the needle cylinder forretracting the slide members, said second feet being disposed stepwisein a manner similar to the first pattern feet on the needle jacks and inadvance thereof, the needle cylinder is provided with a plurality oflongitudinally extending channels parallel to the axis of rotation ofthe needle cylinder, a needle and a needle jack being disposed inalignment in each of said channels, each of the channels being boundedby two longitudinally extending elongated guide members, said secondfeet for retracting the slide members being disposed on said guidemembers and projecting radially therefrom.
 2. A control mechanismaccording to claim 1, wherein the corresponding first pattern feet andthe second feet on the needle cylinder being spaced apartcircumferentially of the needle cylinder by at least one needle and jackreceiving channel.
 3. A control mechanism according to claim 1, whereinthe outer radial extent of said needle jacks when in said first swungposition is slightly less than the outer radial extent of said guidemembers.
 4. A control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein saidsecond feet on the elongated guide members and said pattern feet on saidjacks are disposed in the same plane and contiguous to each other arespaced at least one needle width from each other.
 5. A control mechanismaccording to claim 1, wherein the slide members are disposed in a stackdisposed in a radial axial plane of the needle carrier.
 6. A controlmechanism according to claim 5, wherein each of said slide members has aramp-like surface disposed on the radially inner end thereof, saidelectromagnetic means being disposed to cooperate with the radiallyouter ends of the slide members.
 7. A control mechanism according toclaim 6, wherein the radially outermost portion of the first ramp-likecam portion terminates in a circumferential direction in advance of theradially innermost portion of each of the ramp-like surfaces of theslide members.
 8. A control mechanism according to claim 7, wherein theramp-like surface of each slide member has a first jack entering rampportion and a second following innermost portion of at leastsubstantially uniform radius relative to rotary movement of the needlecylinder, said second portion of each of the ramp-like surfaces having acircumferential length such that it spans at least one complete needleand jack receiving channel and a guide member cOntiguous thereto.